THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 20,2003
NEWS
THEUNIVERSITYDAILYKANSAN = 3A
Researchers working to improve youth fitness levels
By Amy Potter
apotter@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Every three days, students at Wakarusa Valley Elementary School have physical education class.
The first 15 minutes are spent in aerobic exercise, and the next 15 minutes are devoted to some kind of skill, such as learning to dribble a basketball. The final 15 minutes are spent playing a game, said Dorothy Kemps, PE teacher at Wakarusa Valley Elementary School.
"We try to be more active than that. We only have 45 minutes. My goal is to have them active 40 of the 45 minutes, but it doesn't always happen," Kemps said.
Researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development have raised
concern that school districts such as Lawrence's and others across the country are not devoting enough time to PE classes.
A study conducted by the institute found American children had on average 2.1 PE classes a week. Of the 68.7 minutes spent in class during the week, only 25 minutes are spent in moderate to vigorous activity.
Carolyn Roy, research associate and courtesy assistant professor of human development and family life at the University, is the principle investigator for the research site in Kansas that assists in the national study. She is responsible for 130 students who have participated in the study since birth. The students are now in sixth grade.
The findings came from a set of school visits done when the children were in third grade. The children were observed the entire day with a PE class included in the observation.
"We may be cutting PE programs to save money now,but later on down the road the government will have to shell out even more money for health care."
Carolyn Roy Assistant professor of human development and family life
"The key findings coming from the data analysis show that children are getting far below the national recommendation for physical education," Roy said.
Julie Dunnaway, Lawrence graduate student, wants to make a
career as an elementary school or junior high PE teacher. She said the results of the study and the reduction of PE classes in K-12 schools alarmed her.
To combat the time restraints with students Dunnaway plans on making the most out of every minute in class.
"I'm going to get them in there and start warm-ups right away. I'll give them the instructions for the rest of class while we're doing something so we won't waste time," Dunaway said.
Dunnaway also plans on having intramural activities before or after school and gives her students opportunities with at-home activities, she said.
"It's important we treat the whole kid, and that doesn't mean just academics," Dunnaway said.
Obesity among children is a concern, but the effects of little
physical activity could lead to serious problems in the long term, Roy said.
"We may be cutting PE programs to save money now, but later on down the road the government will have to shell out even more money for health care," Roy said.
The study was published in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The Kansas research site was given $3.3 million by the national institute.
PE is important, Kemps said because if children don't get exercise at school, more than likely they are not going to get it at home.
"PE really teaches kids how to get in shape," Kemps said. "We don't really have enough time to get them in shape."
Brandon Baker/Kansan
Edited by Melissa Hermreck
Carolyn Roy is researching the effects of child care and youth development on more than 130 children younger than 13. Roy's findings concluded that children in the third grade did not receive enough exercise in PE class at school.
Creating a budget not difficult but requires prioritizing
For most students, budgeting means grasping a $20 bill and pondering, "Which will it be — a case of Bud Light or dinner tonight?"
While it may be possible to forego food for an evening, it's less likely you'll be able to blow off more important financial commitments such as rent or a car payment.
Managing money is about prioritizing. Unfortunately, most of us are still contemplating the food or liquor quandary. How are confused, naive college students expected to manage their money, despite how minuscule that sum might be?
As a financial adviser with David M. King & Associates Ltd. of Lawrence, Roger Sche-
newerk has helped similarly clueless individuals make decisions about spending and saving for the past decade.
"You have to weigh your priorities," Schenewerk said. "Having been a college student myself, I too had to manage my money."
Schenewerk said he told parents of in-state college students to expect $9,500 in tuition and living expenses for the 2002- 2003 school year. That total increases 5 percent or 6 percent a year with inflation, he said, not including tuition increases.
COMMON CENTS
Creating a budget is the first step to keeping expenses in check. Schenewerk and I created a monthly budget for a middle-class, part-time
Nicole Roche
mroche@kansan.com
employed student who lives in an apartment where most utilities are paid.
Our system can be easily copied by students who want to determine their own budget.
■ Rent: $250
■ Utilities: $25
■ Fuel: $50
■ Food: (includes dining out)
    $160
■ Car Payment: $200
■ Car Maintenance: $25
Clothes: $20
Hair Care: $15
Tuition: $360
Books: $80
Entertainment: $50
Miscellaneous: $70
Subtotal =$1,305
Income = 15 hours a week at
$6 = $360 (before taxes)
Total Damage = $945
This theoretical student, assuming she doesn't receive any financial assistance, is in trouble. Of course, various factors affect the total.
When determining a budget, one should ask the following questions: How much financial support can I expect? Do I pay my own car payments or insurance? Which utilities do I pay
for? Do I own a car or ride the bus? Do I purchase tickets for KU sports? Will I be buying a lot of birthday presents or donating to charities? Do I go tanning? Am I a crazy tipper? And finally, will I need a separate category for my liquor expenses?
Designing a budget is easy. The problem, as any shopaholic knows, is sticking to it.
Schenewerk said it was difficult to adhere to a budget when the dreaded plastic comes into the equation.
"That's the biggest trap right there, not having to take the money out of your wallet," he said. "You don't feel the pain — you just keep accumulating debt."
Schenewerk said the best way to avoid the pangs of the plastic was to pay for purchases entirely with cash or check, although I would argue occasionally hiding the credit card can be a rewarding lesson.
In the end, Schenewerk said, it all comes back to prioritizing. Cutting back expenses might mean going out to eat less, he said, or attending a matinee as opposed to an evening show.
"You might ask, 'Do I really need that fourth drink?'"" Schenewerk said. "Maybe three will be good enough."
Maybe. Unless, of course your drink is your dinner.
Roché is a Wichita senior in journalism.
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